Tuesday, May 31, 2016

We send herewith a copy of the NJCA Circular letter dated 27th May,
2016. The same is self-explanatory. You could see there-from that
the Government might not positively react to the demands placed by the
NJCA over the recommendations of the 7th CPC. Simply
raising the minimum wage by a few rupees without any consequential change in
the fitment formula or pay matrix will not bring about any tangible benefit.
The revision of the minimum wage along would benefit only those who are likely
to be recruited to the cadre of MTS in future. As you are aware, the 7th CPC
had not accepted any demand of the employees. It is beset with dissenting
notes in many chapters. The fight between the personnel in the organized
Group A Services and all India Services had triggered such dissenting note
on the part of the Member who retired from the IAS. A significant section
of the Secretaries to various Departments, we were told, were against any
revision over the recommendations of the 7th CPC. In any
case, we are to await the outcome of the discussions at the NJCA meeting
scheduled to be held on 3rd June, at New Delhi.

Coming to the issues pertaining to the Pensioners, we must recall that the 7th CPC
had rejected almost all the demands unanimously placed before them by the
Pensioners organizations. While tendering oral evidence the Staff Side had
inter alia pressed for the parity for the past pensioners before the
Commission, especially in the background of the granting of one rank one pension
to the Defence Personnel. It is ironic to note that the Defence Ministry
which had piloted the demand of the Ex-service men for one rank one pension
i.e. parity between the past and present pensioners has now taken a stand
against such parity for civil servants. No personnel either in the
organized Group A services or All India Services would stand benefited by the
present recommendation of the 7th CPC except a few as most of
them were in receipt of almost time bound promotion in their career. The modified
parity one must recall has only benefited the upper echelons in the
bureaucracy. One can understand that the Govt. refusing to make
improvements over the suggestion made by a Commission. But it must be
most intolerable when the Govt. refuses to implement a recommendation which was
the outcome of a persistent presentation jointly by almost all the
beneficiaries. The plea advanced for non acceptance of the recommendation
is the alleged impracticability due to the non availability of the relevant records.
Should the pensioner suffer for the reason that the concerned department of the
Government has not kept the records properly? It is the most callous approach
and must be resisted with all the force that we can command. We cannot afford
to have this situation to develop. We are certain that most of the individual
pensioners would be able to provide the requisite information needed to
consider the first option in the pension fixation to the concerned department
and most of the Departments would be able to verify the same with the available
documents with them. We must however await the decision of the NJCA in
the matter.

In the meantime, all affiliates will take such action needed to mobilize the
pensioners and undertake a serious educational campaign.

With greetings,

Yours fraternally,

KKN.Kutty.

Secretary General.

Copy of National Joint
Council of Action circular letter dated 27.5.2016

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMMEDIATE TASK ELECT AND SELECT AIPEU-GDS AS THE ONLY ONE RECOGNISED GDS UNION

Dear Comrades,

As all of you are aware Department of Posts has commenced the process of verification of membership of Gramin Dak Sevaks for grant of recognition. The AIPEU-GDS was formed in the year 2012 and the Federal Council of NFPE held at Hyderabad in 2013, which is the highest decision and policy making body of NFPE, has decided to grant “Associate Membership” to the newly formed AIPEU-GDS. For the last four years, AIPEU-GDS is functioning without recognition and joined all the programmes of NFPE including strike. During this four year period it had conducted two All India Conferences and formed Branches in all the 22 Circles. After formation of AIPEU-GDS, it is the first membership verification taking place.

There is no doubt that the AIPEU-GDS will get recognition and shall become number one recognised GDS Union, with flying colours. But that is not enough - we should make the AIPEU-GDS as the only one recognised GDS Union in the Department of Posts. It is not impossible.

For fulfilling the above task, all Circle/Divisional Branches of NFPE affiliated Unions/Associations and also all CHQ office bearers are hereby requested to take immediate action to implement the following directions of NFPE.

1. It should be ensured that Circle/Divisional Unions of AIPEU-GDS is formed in all Circles/Divisions.

3. Still there are some divisions where the branches of AIPEU-GDS are not yet formed, inspite of repeated instructions from NFPE. All those Divisions where the branch of AIPEU-GDS is not yet formed should form the Branch Union or at least an Adhoc Committee at Divisional level with a Secretary or Convenor before 15th April 2016. The name, designation and official address with pin code and mobile number of the newly elected Secretary or Adhoc Committee Convenor should be intimated to the General Secretary and Circle Secretary. Wherever Circle Unions are not functioning immediate action should be taken to form a functioning Circle Union or Circle level Adhoc Committee of AIPEU-GDS.

4. It is reported from some circles that some P3 and P4 Divisional Unions of NFPE has not taken any positive action to form the Divisional Branches of AIPEU-GDS. Not only that in some limited divisions, the rival GDS Union, which is campaigning against NFPE and has formed separate unions for Group-C and Postmen/MTS in the name of “UNITED” to break our P3 and P4 Union and thereby to destabilise NFPE, is given all help and assistance by the some P3 and P4 Unions of NFPE and also holding joint meetings with the rival GDS Union which is no more an affiliate or Associate of NFPE. This is not permissile and is in violation of the directions and guidelines issued by NFPE. It is once again made clear that disciplinary action will be taken against those divisions which refuse to form the branches of AIPEU-GDS and which are still cooperating and extending all help to the rival GDS Union and conducting joint meetings. The recognition of all such Divisional Unions which refuse to carry out the directions of NFPE will be withdrawn without any further notice.

5. Last date for submission of application by GDS Unions for participating in the membership verification process is 31-03-2016. AIPEU-GDS has already submitted application to the Directorate on 18-03-2016. Please note that the name of our union is “AIPEU-GDS”. Department may issue orders fixing the last date for submission of authorisation forms to the Divisional heads, along with the model authorisation form with the signature of an officer of the Directorate. Immediately on publishing the authorisation form by the department all the affiliated unions of NFPE should jointly jump into action and collect maximum number of authorisation forms from GDS of each division. As GDS are working in remote villages, action plan should be chalked out now itself, for visiting each and every Branch Post Office by the NFPE leadership, for collecting authorisation forms signed by the GDS in favour of AIPEU-GDS.

6. AIPEU-GDS is the GDS Union of NFPE and it is the collective responsibility of all Circle/Divisional Unions of NFPE to make our GDS Union as the only one recognised union. Let us take it as a challenge and prove that it is possible.

7. A separate circular issued by AIPEU-GDS CHQ is also enclosed herewith.

Monday, May 30, 2016

CBS, FINACLE, CIS

DEMANDS DAY – 10.06.2016

There is no need to
elaborate the miseries and sufferings we are facing at base level after the
implementation of Finacle, (CBS & CIS) and the mental torture.

The NFPE and
P-III CHQ is aware of the issues and properly placed before the Department vide
its letter dated 22.01.2016, 11.02.2016 & 25.04.2016.Further it was brought
to the personal notice of the Hon’ble Minister of communication. However, the
progress in resolving the Finacle issues is in slow nail causing resentment and
unrest amidst officials.

The assurance
of the Department on 28.03.2016 in providing two more server by Infosys to
solve the Finacle problem has not been carried out yet. The increase in the
bandwidth as per the requirement of the office has not been carried out in any
circle.

Adding fuel to
fire, the department’s recent decision in implementing the Business hours of
Post office to the extent of 5 hours for monetary transactions has not been
exercised. Some circles like Tamilnadu, Haryana etc. have sought clarifications
to prevent the implementation of the decision without minding the existing
sufferings of officials due to faulty functioning of Finacle & others and
the officials are forced to remain in office in late hours. There is every risk
for the women employees to leave office late every day.

For the last
ten days, there is poor access and even no access in Finacle continuously
throughout the nation affecting the public and staff very badly. This is
nothing but due to the incapacity of the servers provided by Infosys. The
department is not in a position either to correct things or apply the penal
provisions against the vender. The existing position in Finacle is nothing but
the last straw on camel’s back.

The recent
conversations unofficially held between the Infosys and some staff exhibited in
the website will reveal the fact. We must know who is committing mistake after
mistake. Whether the officers dealing the Finacle are aware of all the software
and hardware oriented issues. Are they simply hearing and acting as per the
dictums of the vendors? Howe many times we are going to alter our rulings to
suit the requirement of vendors? Will there be any time to the officials to go
through the routine daily circulars on CBS functioning in the pressure of work?

We lost our
patience. Even though, we suffer voluntarily a lot as we feel it is the
transition period, in the implementation of Finacle, it is felt now that
without settlement of the Problems, the Department is inclined to proclaim that
it has implemented the Finacle more in numbers than the leading banks and also
without any Quality and good service to the customer.

Under these
circumstances, the NFPE and P-III CHQ has elaborately written a letter to the
Department on 26.05.2016, detailing all the problems being existed in Finacle
and McCamish and sought remedies within a fort night. In the event of
non-settlement, the CHQ has decided to launch the following programme of action
culminating to strike action.

10th
June - Demands Day - Demonstration at divisional/branch levels

17th
June - Dharna in front of Circle office

30th
June - Demonstration in front of Dak Bhawan & issue of strike
notice. (The date will be decided with consultation of NFPE & JCA
constituents)

The major demands put forth
in the programme of action.

1.Provide additional servers and solve the Finacle problem

2.Increase the bandwidth as per the requirement.

3.Implement the decision of Directorate on Business hours.

4.Drop all Memos & Charge sheets issued due to Finacle minor
mistake.

5.Implementation of action on all the points put forth in the CHQ
letter dated 26.05.2016.

This programme
is nothing but to save the Postal Service from the existing chaos and
confusions. Even though we desire peace, we have been pushed in to the wall. We
could not tolerate furthermore.

All
Divisional/Branch and Circle Secretaries are requested to organize the
programme very effectively and intimate compliance. The NFPE and P-III CHQ will
leave no stone unturned in the event of no settlement is seen in this serious
issue.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

CADRE RESTRUCTURING OF GROUP ’C’ EMPLOYEES IN DEPARTMENT
OF POSTS

Sub: Cadre Restructuring of
Group ’C’ employees in Department of Posts.

D.G. Post letter No. 25-04/2012-PE-I
dated 27th May, 2016.

The Cadre Restructuring of
Group-C employees of Department of Posts
has been undertaken in consultation with Department of Expenditure , Ministry
of Finance in pursuance of the approval concurrence of the Department of Expenditure vide ID No. 2(45)E.III Desk/2015 dated 12th
May,2016 , a list at distribution of the posts containing the existing and
revised posts of Postal Assistants,
Lower Selection Grade, Higher
Selection Grade II & I and also a
few HSG-I (Non-Functional Grade) is enclosed for implementation with the following
instructions:

a) The post of SPMs in Single Handed
and Double Handed Post Offices to
the cadre of LSG posts (GP Rs.2800) shown in the annexure now allotted to the Circle , will be
placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.2800/- in
the Pay Band-I..

b) The post of SPMs in Triple Handed Post
Offices, in the extent of HSG-II posts
(GP4200) shown the annexure now
allotted to the Circle and all other
existing norms based LSG Posts in Post offices
will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.4200- in the Pay Band-II. In no case, the total number of
HSG-II posts shall exceed the number of posts allotted to the Circle.

C) Existing
posts in HSG-II to the extent of
posts now allotted and shown in the annexure , will be placed in the Grade Pay of Rs.4600/- in the Pay Band-II along with the existing HSG-I Posts . Remaining HSG-II posts if any
shall remain in the GP of Rs.4200 only. In no case, the total number of HSG-I
posts shall exceed the number of posts allotted in the Circle.

d) The Cadre Restructuring of these
posts are only in respect of the posts from Postal Side other
than the posts of RMS ., Circle and Regional Offices and SBCO Wings.

e) If the revised number of posts is in
excess of the existing strength of a particular grade the difference will be
deemed as newly sanctioned posts in that
grade . Similarly, if the revised number of posts is in a grade is less than the existing strength
the number of posts equal to the difference
will be treated as having been
abolished in that grade.

f) The
vacancies arising out of the restructuring will be filled up only from the
amongst the official who fulfill the eligibility criteria laid down in the recruitment rules for the post.

g) The new HSG-I (Non Functional Grade)
with the grade pay of Rs.4800/-
is only for those who
are senior most
and completed not less than a
minimum service of 2 years in HSG-I subject to the number of posts specified for the Circle in HSG-I (Non Functional Grade) (for example the number of NFG officials in AP Circle
should never exceed (17) after following
usual procedure of non functional upgradation(s).

2. These instructions will be effective
from the date of issue of the orders. The actual benefit would however be
admissible to the eligible officials from the date of actual promotion.

3. Receipt of the order may be
acknowledged. Immediate action initiated and compliance report sent at the
earliest.

All of you are aware about the formation of AIPEU GDS at Apex level and also the accordance of Associate membership status by the NFPE and affiliated unions. The decision was approved in the All India Conferences and direction were given to branches to form divisional / branch unions of AIPEU GDS and the name of the union was subsequently applied as AIPEU GDS in the process of the Verification of membership.

Even though, about 80% of branches were formed at divisional level, still more branches have to be formed at divisional level. Out of 22 circles, three circles have not formed any circle body till date. This is causing a concern.

All of you know very well that the verification process for GDS has been underway and at any time, the declarations in the form of “letter of authorization” will be called for. Hence, it is our foremost duty to form branches in all divisions and authorized representatives to the AIPEU GDS Unions to inform the department.

Today, the Department has called for the name of the authorized representatives for signing the declaration forms divisional wise. This process has to be completed before 15thJune 2016. Therefore, the completion of the formation of branches shall be completed in the first week of June 2016.

During the last verification process held in 2010, the recognized union which was patronized by NFPE could secure only 62% of Membership among the working strength. This time we should register with more percentage in the contest. If we do not get more than the required strength it will become a problem for the existence of the unions in the GDS cadre.

It is further important that in the event of submission of authorization letters by individual GDS to two unions, it will become invalid. The First union should secure not less than 35% which is the basic condition of recognition; otherwise none will be recognized. Despite our confidence that we will win over with maximum declarations, it is compulsory to see that there shall be no duplicate applications in the verification process since the rival union is still propagating that it is still in NFPE and the false propaganda may split and spoil the declarations. It must be ensured to be more attentive to reach the maximum membership declaration and obtain the recognition.

Let us frankly discuss. If divisional unions are not formed or not effectively functioning at this crucial juncture, the advantage will go to rival unions which is not good for us. All our divisional secretaries not only must ensure the formation of GDS union but also involving themselves dedicatedly in the collection of declarations from the GDS comrades in favour of our union AIPEU GDS which is now applied as AIPEU - GDS.

It is the foremost and important task in the present circumstances like the functioning of the GDS committee, its expected recommendations, its implementation etc., the recognition for our union is a must and if we will be number one, it will increase our capacity in the collective bargaining.

The existing recognized GDS Union is not a part of NFPE or Confederation. It is an individual – self-centered organization. Our GDS NFPE Union believes and stand for the joint functioning. There should be no ties or patronage to the rival unions hereafter that we must ensure 100% Membership in favour of our GDS Union i.e. AIPEU GDS which will alone ensure the joint programme of action for mitigating the grievances of Postal employees.

Our P3 CHQ is always committed for the cause of GDS. Our divisional unions are whole heartedly and effectively functioning with the GDS Union all along. The same spirit must continue in the future. So, let us involve ourselves fully in the collection of declarations of GDS & formation of branches etc. The CHQ is expecting a report from all the divisional secretaries about the provisions of the existing situations with full details before the end of this month about the formation and the functioning of our GDS unions at divisional levels so that we can access the situation and act accordingly.

I am endorsing the above contents and making fervent appeal to all the divisional/branch secretaries to cooperate and activate the GDS Union at your level and let us be sincere in the joint functioning of postal employees under the banner of NFPE. As we have to submit the name of the representative for submission of declarations at divisional levels before 10th June 2016, please intimate the nominee to the GDS CHQ before 5.6.2016 positively.

The Department vide its letter No. 13/01/2016-SR dated 19.05.2016, called for the following particulars of our union about the authorized office bearers representing the circles/ divisions who will countersign the authrorization letters in all the 22 Circles.

Sl. No.

Circle/Division

Name & Designation of Authorized Office Bearer

Official Address/e-mail address of office bearer

Mobile No.

The information must reach the Directorate before 15th June 2016. Therefore, the CHQ has to submit the details to the Directorate immediately without waiting till last minute.

It is the fact that still we have not received any information about the formation of branches from some divisions and it is the immediate need to form the divisional branches and nominate the Convenor/Divisional Secretaries.

All are requested to intimate the formation of branches forthwith through e-mail to CHQ. In respect of branches where the branches exist, Please intimate the full address of the divisional Secretaries with their Mobile number for the furnishing details to the Directorate immediately.

The Circle Secretaries shall ensure by collecting all the details and forward the same to CHQ before 31.05.2015 positively.